Byre World: The Enthusiasm Project

In 1869, Welsh industrialist John Hughes founded the mining town of Donetsk in Eastern Ukraine, initiating a wave of migration from South Wales to Eastern Europe. 1917 and the approaching Russian Revolution saw the hasty exit of the industrialists who had followed Hughes, fearful of the revolutionary ferment. 100 years later, in the present day, Ukraine and the Donbas are once again at the centre of a violent conflict that has led to the internal displacement of over a million people.

“Enthusiasm” brings to life some of the elements of this fascinating and timely story.

Project leaders Dr Victoria Donovan (Dept of Russian, University of St Andrews) and Stefhan Caddick will be joined by composer Simon Gore to present “Enthusiasm” via music, image and discussion.